Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Reunite As Openers For T20 World Cup 2024

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to open together in the T20 World Cup 2024, which began on June 2. Kohli has opened nine times in T20I cricket, but only once with Sharma. This strategic move aims to leverage Kohli's recent form and maximise the powerplay fielding restrictions.

In India's only warm-up match against Bangladesh on May 1 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Yashasvi Jaiswal did not open with Sharma. This decision strongly indicates that Kohli will partner with Sharma at the top of the order. Kohli, who arrived in the USA, did not participate in the warm-up game and will make his first appearance in the tournament opener against Ireland on June 5 in New York.

Kohli's recent performance in IPL 2024 has been exceptional. He scored 741 runs at a strike rate exceeding 150, earning him the Orange Cap. The Indian team is likely looking to capitalise on his form by giving him the opportunity to exploit the fielding restrictions during the powerplay.

The only previous instance of Kohli and Sharma opening together in a T20I match was in March 2022 against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After being invited to bat first by England, Kohli and Sharma put up a partnership of 94 runs off just 54 balls.

Kohli, who was the India captain at that time, scored 80 runs off 52 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. Sharma contributed with 64 runs off 34 balls, hitting four fours and five sixes. Their efforts helped India post a formidable total of 224/2.

Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya also made significant contributions, scoring 32* and 39* respectively. In response, only two England batters managed to cross the 15-run mark, leading to their defeat by 36 runs.

Shardul Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were instrumental with the ball, picking up three and two wickets respectively. Kohli was named Man of the Series after India's 3-2 series win.